In the UK, a new way to give to charity has been buzzing in the headlines, giving dangerously, that is.

We’re talking about “The Charity Challenge“, which is like a travel/tour operator with a unique twist – it gives people the chance to have a large-scale adventure holiday and at the same time, organizes it so that your holiday raises money for charity. Think of climbing Mount Everest or following an Inca trail in deepest Peru – terribly exciting and death-defying stuff, and you get to help others too along the way.

Actually, the unusual concept has been around for the past 15 years, established in 1991 by Erich Reich, who used to be a Director at Thomas Cook. He first got the idea when he was asked by a friend to help raise funds for a Children‘s Home in London. Reich rode for 400 kilometers in the Middle Easters desert and was inspired ever since.

His company, Classic Tours, has been booming ever since and leads as the world’s largest “Challenge Operator”. Just this year, the company will be taking over 3,000 participants on high-adrenalin challenges all over the world – from Brazil to Mongolia.

“Since 1991 we have helped approximately 120 charities raise something in the order of £32m, and that’s net, not gross.” Reich explains.

So how does it work?

Reich explains further:

“We then organise everything, from flights and accommodation to logistical support on the ground. On charity bike rides, for example, we have our own teams of mechanics. In the developing world, we even supply our own medics.

The nature of the challenge is very individual, some people have never camped before so for them it can be a challenge just to go to the loo behind a rock.”

Even though we’re a tour operator, no money comes directly to us from clients. We give the charity a cost per individual for the services on the ground and they pay us in turn,” says Reich.

Technorati Tags: charity challenge, charity event, charity tour, charity travel, charity trek

Categories: Campaigns, Charities, Fundraising, Holidays, Ideas | Tags: charity-challenge, charity-event, charity-tour, charity-travel, charity-trek

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Imagine a job which is informal, rewarding, and fulfilling. Okay, your salary won’t even come close to the six-figure mark, but imagine being in an environment where the people working with you are passionate about what they do. Unlike most typical jobs where many unfortunately feel like their noses are on the daily grindstone and wish they were someplace else, those who work in a non-profit organization have the satisfaction in knowing that what they do is actually helping others and improving lives.

Aside from the lower wages, non-profit jobs can also be as stressful as any other job. The issues to face are often tremendous (and emotional), and having to deal with red-tape bureaucracy and legalities can be more than frustrating.

Non-profit organizations were created to provide a public service. This can be in a variety of fields – from economic development, arts, environment, culture, society, science, disasters, troubled areas, and so on. Businesses on the other hand, exist to make money for themselves through selling their goods or services.

There are a massive number of non-profit organizations around the world, in nearly every country as well as internationally (there are referred to as nongovernmental organizations or NGOs), and in the US alone, there are over 11 million people working within the sector.

People are varied and interesting in the non-profit sector, and always passionate. If you are seriously considering a job here, think about the type of non-profit work that would suit you best. Would you prefer administrative work or be out in the field? Are you interested in research? Advocacy? Or perhaps policy?

Being clear about the kind of work that interests you will help you be more selective when you see all the positions that are available in the nonprofit sector.

Categories: Ideas, Jobs, Tips, Volunteering | Tags: Jobs, Volunteering

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The blog is a collection of pet charities and concerned individuals, which combines posts from pet lovers from all over who are tasked into improving the lives of neglected and abandoned pets. The many charities that deal with pets have been wrecked by intrigue and drama that you don’t know which is which. The pages contain warming stories straight from the people who do the rescue work themselves as well as pet lovers who are passionate about our furry friends.
Not just for furry but all types of animals and pets are subject with many links to several blogs that also aim to raise awareness regarding the plight of dogs, cats, birds and even farm animals that are being raised for the pet trade. Hear the warming stories of adopted animals as far as Baghdad that have been brought home to the States, helping their adopted owners deal with the turmoil that is war.

Categories: Activities, Animals, Campaigns, Charities, Children, Disaster Relief, Environmental, Families, Fundraising, Ideas, Inspiration, News, Organizations, Websites | Tags: Animal-charity, animal-protection, animal-welfare, Animals, Organizations

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The sight of a disabled child or person who pushes himself to earn a living despite having deficiencies in some parts of their bodies or from their manner of thinking is something that should inspire the normal man. Putting aside their current situation and status to give them a reason to live is the most important factor that touches the hearts of people who see them.

There are a lot of foundations that have taken this cue and even gone to the extent of helping them earn their keep and efforts through referrals and sponsorships. Working for a cause is the best term to generalize everything that these disabled people invest. Rarely would you see people putting time for such people who make the best out of what they can.

People who have some deficiencies cannot live normally but in most cases, it is the disabled people who seem to show more promise because they know that in their hearts that there is so much to accomplish if they are given a chance to be side by side with the normal and fortunate people of today.

Technorati Tags: disabled, charities, foundations

Categories: Activities, Analysis, Campaigns, Charities, Children, Disabled, Fundraising, Ideas, Inspiration, Mental Illness, Organizations, Products, Programs, Religious | Tags: Charities, Disabled, foundations

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With Halloween just around the corner, it also means that the season of giving is practically upon us, so many of us are starting to think about ways we can give.

Well, without wanting to sound like a Scrooge, the fact of the matter is that there unfortunately are many scammy operations out there, or even simple red tape or massive overhead costs that makes it more difficult than ever for your money to actually reach those in need.

So my next few posts will be dedicated to some easy advice on how we can do the best we can to make sure what we give goes to those who really need it.

To start off, here are 4 simple tips when giving to charity:

1. Double check NAME of the charity. Some may just be named that way to confuse you to think it is a well-known charity with a similar name. Check their credentials online and visit the place yourself if possible. Other good ways to check out a charity is through your local charity registrar and or with the local better business bureau.

2. Remember that giving to charity is tax deductable. Keep records of all your charitable donations as well as costs you may have incurred while volunteering.

3. Always give by cheque – and make it payable to the charity, never to an individual. Stay away from cash donations.

4. When receiving an appeal in the post – check to see if there is the name and address of a reputable charity, and what they are already doing to solve the problem. Be wary of sob stories.

Technorati Tags: charity tips, investigating charities, donating tips

Categories: Charities, Ideas, Tips | Tags: charity-tips, donating-tips, investigating-charities

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